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Knoxville Tax Payers Expected to See Increase in Property Tax to Pay for Schools

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Iowa lawmakers have yet to make a decision on education funding for the upcoming fiscal year, which makes things difficult for school districts that must have submit their certified budgets to the auditor next month.

Due to declining enrollment, the Knoxville School District is on a budget guarantee for next year which means the general fund budget can grow by one percent. However, Superintendent Dr. Randy Flack says because the Iowa legislature is set on 0% allowable growth, that money would need to be completely funded through property taxes.

Dr. Flack says 0% allowable growth is equal to 94 cents per thousand for property tax payers in Knoxville. He says he doesn’t feel this is information being told to Iowa voters by the legislature.

Dr. Flack says the district will receive $114,000 in new money for the upcoming academic year regardless of allowable growth, though the burden on tax payers rests on the decision of the legislature.

One of the things he says he’s afraid will happen is the school board will have to pass a certified budget and property tax rate without knowing what the legislature is going to do.

The school board is scheduled to approve the 2011-2012 budget at their regular meeting on April 11th.